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Master of Systems
Engineering
Never Stand Still
School of Engineering and Information Te chnology
Compulsory Courses
–
Systems Engineering Practice
–
Requirements Engineering
–
Test & Evaluation
–
Capability Option Analysis
Plus four elective courses.
Specialisations
–
Test and Evaluation
–
Space Systems
–
Electronic Warfare
–
Networking
–
Marine Engineering
–
Weapons Ordnance
Entry to the program is available
to applicants:
–
with a relevant first degree
–
without a first degree providing they
have acceptable experience and/or
qualifications
–
via distance or intensive delivery mode
Applications
Applications for Semester 2 close
20 June 2013 (Defence funding
applications close 30 April 2013).
Apply online at:
www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/pg_apply
Further Information
If you require more information about this
program please contact:
Telephone: +61 2 6268 8068
Email: seit.studentmailbox@adfa.edu.au
The Master of Systems Engineering (MSysEng) at the University of New South Wales
in Canberra provides you with the opportunity to acquire high-level understanding
and advanced analytical skills in the key areas of systems engineering, requirements
engineering, test and evaluation, and capability option analysis.
seit.unsw.adfa.edu.au/MSysEng
MASSIVE STOCK
CLEARANCE
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65 Kembla Street Fyshwick Canberra
airforceshop.com.au 02 6123 2930
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HURRY!SALEENDS30JUNE
SQNLDR Paul Lineham
“THE fighters are our salvation but
the bombers alone provide the means
of victory”, Winston Churchill said in
September 1940.
Between Dunkirk in 1940 and D-Day
in 1944, Bomber Command, later
supported by the American 8th Air Force,
provided the only strategic attack against
the German Forces on the Western Front.
About 125,000 Allied aircrew from
most parts of the British Empire, France,
Belgium, The Netherlands, Norway,
Poland and Czechoslovakia served in
Bomber Command and nearly half lost
their lives.
Of the 10,000 Australians serving in
Bomber Command, 3486 lost their lives
in action. A further 546 were killed in
training.
It is in memory of this sacrifice that
Bomber Command is commemorated on
the Sunday closest to June 6 every year.
This year’s Bomber Command
commemorative service at RAAF Base
Amberley, the only service in Australia
conducted on an operational Air Force
base, was attended by more than 450
people.
The opening paragraph of the address
by OC 82WG GPCAPT Geoff Harland set
the scene.
“It is important to realise that the
RAAF’s commitment to Bomber
Command in the skies over Europe
constituted just 5 per cent of Australia’s
total fighting forces in that war,” GPCAPT
Harland said.
“Of this courageous 5 per cent, came
20 per cent of Australia’s battle deaths
(across all three services) between 1939
to 1945.
“In a sobering expression of the
chances of survival, Bomber Command
aircrew had a mere one in four chance of
finishing their tour of duty. More than half
would die and another quarter would be
taken as prisoners of war.”
A total of 1479 ground crew lost their
lives, and 91 members of the Women’s
Auxiliary Air Force died while on duty
with Bomber Command.
Commander Combat Support Group
AIRCDRE Tim Innes told the gathering
that no other sustained campaign in which
Australians were involved could compare
with the individual danger of the air war
over Germany.
“The RAAF’s most distinguished
heavy bomber unit, 460SQN, alone lost
1018 aircrew, in effect the entire squadron
was wiped out five times.
“It was far more dangerous to fight in
Bomber Command than in the infantry.”
During the service, Robert Chester-
Master, a former rear gunner who served
with RAF 514SQN on Lancaster bombers
from late 1943, gave some insight into
conditions he endured.
“While the front of the plane had
heating my turret at the
back didn’t, so I had to
dress up well because
outside it sometimes
got down to 30 degrees
below freezing,” he said.
“I wore up to four
layers of clothing under
the flying gear and was
still cold.”
He told of the
faith the crew had in
their young pilot, of
the German fighter
aircraft which crept up
on his blind side one
night when they were
returning from a mission
only to pass in front of
his guns, and of the vision
of ACM Arthur “Bomber” Harris who
took the leadership of Bomber Command
in 1942 and forged it into a fighting force
which changed the concept of strategic
bombing.
Mr Chester-Master was on his 13th
sortie when his aircraft was shot down
over enemy territory, but he managed to
evade capture and returned to England to
fly again.
GPCAPT Harland said there were
parallels between Bomber Command and
today’s Air Force.
“Like Bomber Command, we are
equipped with the latest aircraft; they
are in turn operated by young, talented
and focused combat aircrew,” GPCAPT
Harland said.
“Our hard working maintenance
personnel keep these aircraft running. Our
administrators and logisticians keep us
working well.
“Sadly, the ranks of WWII Bomber
Command veterans are rapidly dwindling
and it will be up to us to continue
their story to ensure their legacy is not
forgotten.”
Tales of sacrifice retold
MEMORIES:
Right, Robert
Chester-Master
pays his respects
to Bomber
Command crews
during the RAAF
Base Amberley
service; left, OC
82WG GPCAPT
Geoff Harland
delivers his
speech; below
veterans gather
after the service.
Photos: LACW Joanne
Larsen
17
June 20, 2013
RCE
AIR F
History
More than 450 people attend moving
Bomber Command service at Amberley